Then after staring at the front forks long enough remember why they were “leftover”. Make necessary reinforcements to lower legs of forks. Rebuild front and rear wheels (new brakes, bearings, spacers, bushings, etc).

Day 4

Go back upstairs and find fenders and chain guard (you can’t be too picky when choosing tin that was determined non useable on other projects). Assemble chassis.

Day 5

Go back upstairs and grab EVERYTHING you can find that looks useable on a 101 engine. Spend most of the day fitting up 2 mismatched engine cases, finding 2 good right side sport scout flywheels and 2 straight 45 cu in rods. Press in new bushings in rods.

Do NOT go back upstairs. Instead go to new parts bins downstairs. Remove plastic from brand NEW crank, drive and piñon.

Talk to your crank shaft. Be sweet to it. Your entire cannonball hinges upon this one small part, and it is the starting point to building the power plant that will carry you across the country.

Day 6

Time to get serious. Start machining, honing, cutting and building the motor. True flywheels. Hone rods to fit crank. Balance rotating assembly.

Day 7

Assemble bottom end (using “good” used metal clutch disks and brand new Raybestos fiber clutch disks). Genuine Raybestos clutch disks are available exclusively at Bucks Indian and Kiwi Indian!!!

Add gas and oil. Time to ride!! Show Granddad (Buck) finished product and get his picture.

Day 10.5

Mess around. Fine tune and fix any bugs discovered from test ride (clutch’s, clutch pedal, shifter, sticking throttle, carburetor, etc). Install saddle bags and number plates. Drink a beer (or several). Set back and admire a job well done with Dad (Steve) and brother (Justin). I couldn’t have done it without my Dad, and having my brother’s help for a few days was pretty nice too!!

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Yesterday we had some pretty long and flat running coming through Kansas. However we did have some excitement. Some of the back roads we traveled on were a little rough. Dad’s head lamp vibrated loose (but he noticed it and saved it before it came completely off), but I was not so lucky with my kicker pedal (it’s gone for good). Fortunately, we ran into an old friend in Dodge City who had some extra kicker pedals at his house. Thank you Roddy Newland!

Here is Dad riding next to a freight train. We rode next to this train for about 30 miles and ran almost the exact same pace.

At the end of the day yesterday we all made it into Dodge City safe and sound and had a well needed day off today to relax and work on the bikes.

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Today we went from Springfield, Missouri to Parsons, Kansas (for lunch) and then on to Wichita, Kansas for the night time check point. All bikes are healthy and running good. Tomorrow we head on to Dodge City!

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Today Justin made it with us to our mid day check point in Williamstown, WV. All 3 machines are running good. Justin rebuilt his transmission yesterday in Morgantown, and we think those problems are now in his rear view.

Jared is a third generation Indian enthusiast. He is the proud Dad of three daughters: Jordan, Karter and Spencer. Jared lives with his family in Findlay, Ohio and works as an engineer in the petroleum industry. His favorite motorcycle from the family collection is the 1934 Standard Scout.

Justin is the Dad of twin boys, Landon and Nolan and their big brother, Karson. Justin is an engineer at a petroleum refinery in Robinson, IL. He is most proud of Lil Miss Red, the first bike (741 Custom) he independently restored.

Steve is Buck's son. It is his passion for the bikes that has allowed the team to grow their collection to what it is today. He loves sharing his talents with his sons, Justin and Jared, almost as much as he enjoys sharing his love for the motorcycles with his 6 grandchildren.